How to Stop Motion Sickness?

Written by Kathleen Morrison
Medically Reviewed by Andrea Sleeth WHNP-BC, MSCP

Key takeaways

• Motion sickness is a common condition that happens when your eyes, inner ear, and muscles and joints send conflicting signals to your brain.
• Simple ways to help prevent motion sickness include choosing the right seat, focusing on a stationary object, and getting fresh air.
• Natural remedies like ginger, peppermint, and acupressure wristbands may help support comfort during travel.
• Over-the-counter or prescription medications like antihistamines and scopolamine patches can provide stronger relief for severe cases.
• Persistent symptoms, inner ear pain, or chronic dizziness mean it’s time to talk to your healthcare provider.

That queasy, “I need to pull over NOW” feeling while you’re traveling? That's motion sickness. And it sucks. It’s a common issue that can turn any adventure into an uncomfortable ordeal. But you don’t have to white-knuckle it through every journey.

Whether you experience motion sickness while riding in a car, on a boat, during an amusement park ride, or even playing video games, understanding what triggers it gives you the power to do something about it.

Motion sickness can make travel miserable, but with the right strategies and anti-nausea medications, you can get back to enjoying the ride.

Wisp treatment options are available only after consultation with a licensed medical professional. You should consult with your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement or treatment regimen. Individual results may vary.

What causes motion sickness?

Motion sickness occurs when your eyes see one thing, but the movement your inner ear senses tells a completely different story.

Your inner ear is basically your body’s internal GPS, constantly tracking your position and movement. Deep inside, tiny fluid-filled canals detect every tilt, turn, and acceleration. Pretty impressive until it starts working against you!

Motion sickness strikes when your brain receives mixed messages.

Say, you’re scrolling through your phone in a moving car.

Your inner ear senses movement, but your eyes see a stationary screen. Your brain interprets these conflicting signals as something wrong, triggering nausea as a protective response.

Virtual motion sickness is real, too. Virtual reality headsets and playing video games can trigger the same symptoms because your eyes perceive motion that your body doesn’t actually feel motion from.

Who’s most likely to get motion sickness?

Certain groups tend to get motion sickness more often.

Motion sickness for children is especially common, though many kids under the age of 2 don’t seem affected yet.

Older adults and pregnant people also report higher rates. If you’ve dealt with migraines, you’re more likely to experience motion sickness too.

Things you can do to help manage motion sickness

Natural approaches work best when you start them before symptoms kick in. The trick is finding what works for your body and sticking with it:

Where you sit matters.

If you want to avoid motion sickness, sit in the front of the car where you have a clear view of the road ahead. This helps your eyes and inner ear stay in sync.

On airplanes, request a seat over the front edge of the wing where there’s less turbulence. On boats, aim for the middle.

Always face forward. Backward-facing seats can seriously intensify symptoms.

Focus on a stationary object.

Training your eyes on the horizon or a distant, fixed point gives your brain a stable reference that matches what your inner ear feels.

Avoid activities requiring close focus, like reading or texting, while you’re traveling by car or boat.

Get fresh air.

Cool, fresh air works wonders. Crack a window, turn on the overhead vent, or step outside if possible. Sipping cold water or a carbonated drink may also help settle your stomach.

Skip heavy meals.

Light snacks before and during travel are your friend. Heavy, greasy foods can make things worse.

Practice controlled breathing.

Controlled breathing can interrupt the nausea cycle. Try breathing in for 4 counts, holding for 7, then exhaling for 8.

This activates your parasympathetic nervous system, helping counter the stress response.

Natural remedies that help with comfort and relief

When nausea strikes mid-journey despite your best prevention efforts, these natural options may help you regain comfort:

• Ginger: Ginger has been a go-to remedy for centuries. Ginger candies, tea, or capsules may help support stomach comfort within 15-30 minutes.
• Peppermint: Peppermint’s menthol may help relax stomach muscles. Keep it in your travel bag; it’s worth having on hand.
• Acupressure wristbands: Acupressure wristbands apply constant pressure to the P6 point on your wrist, which some people find helpful. You can also press this point yourself using firm, circular motions for 30 seconds on each wrist.
  

Quick tips for motion sickness on amusement park rides

• Start with gentler rides and gradually work your way up
• Be cautious with spinning rides, which are more likely to trigger motion sickness
• Take breaks between intense attractions to give your balance system time to reset
• If you feel motion sick after a ride, sit in a shady spot and rest
• Focus on a distant, stationary point while taking slow, deep breaths
  

Medication options for when natural isn't cutting it

If motion sickness doesn’t respond to basic strategies, it might be time to ask your doctor about medication options.

Antihistamines

Antihistamines are popular over-the-counter choices for motion sickness:

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) can be effective, though they may cause drowsiness.
• Meclizine (Antivert) often provides longer-lasting relief with less sedation for some people.

These medications are typically taken 30–60 minutes before travel for best results, based on product directions and provider guidance.

Side effects of antihistamines

Here’s what to watch for with each option:

Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and dimenhydrinate (Dramamine):

• Drowsiness or feeling sedated
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Headache
• Upset stomach

Meclizine (Antivert)

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Blurred vision
• Headache

Serious side effects of these antihistamines (seek medical care promptly):

• Allergic reactions (rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)
• Sudden vision changes, blurry vision, or eye pain
• Trouble urinating

Scopolamine patches

Scopolamine (Transderm Scop) is a prescription patch that delivers medication through the skin for up to three days.

Once prescribed, apply the patch behind the ear at least 4 hours before travel.

While effective, scopolamine may cause drowsiness, dry mouth, or blurred vision.

Side effects of scopolamine patches

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Blurred vision (especially if the medication gets into the eyes)
• Dizziness

Serious side effects (seek medical care promptly):

• Eye pain, redness, or sudden vision changes
• Trouble urinating
• Confusion, agitation, or unusual behavior
• Signs of an allergic reaction (rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat)

Zofran (Ondansteron)

Zofran (ondansetron) is a prescription medication most widely known for its anti-nausea and anti-vomiting effects. It works by blocking certain signals in both the gut and brain that trigger nausea and vomiting.

Doctors typically prescribe Zofran to help prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. Some people also use it “off-label” for nausea tied to other situations (like new medications or upset stomachs).

But, it’s important to know that Zofran isn’t generally effective for motion sickness, which is driven by different pathways than the nausea it’s approved to treat.

Side effects of Zofran

• Headache
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Drowsiness
• Fatigue or tired feeling

Serious side effects (seek medical care promptly):

• Symptoms of high serotonin levels, such as agitation, hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, or overactive reflexes
• Loss of coordination or fainting
• Severe dizziness or unusual confusion
  

When to talk to your healthcare provider

While occasional motion sickness is normal, certain symptoms warrant professional attention.

Persistent vomiting that continues after travel ends or prevents you from keeping fluids down requires medical care.

Watch for dehydration signs like dark urine, dizziness when standing, or dry mouth.

Inner ear pain and chronic dizziness aren’t typical motion sickness symptoms either.

Conditions like Meniere’s disease can cause severe dizziness and nausea that worsen with movement; these need different approaches.

If you suddenly get sick more easily during travel than before, or if motion sickness develops when you’ve never had it before, you may want to investigate underlying causes with your provider.

Travel confidently with the right support

Learning how to manage motion sickness transforms travel from something you dread into an adventure you can enjoy.

Start with positioning strategies, like where you sit in a vehicle; add natural remedies for mild symptoms; and know that stronger options exist when you need them.

Wisp makes it easier to consult with licensed providers online and get guidance on managing nausea—so you can focus less on symptoms and more on the adventure ahead.

This blog post is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be taken as professional advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions based on the information provided here.

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